Decision details

Pursuant to Minute C85(4)/Dec/18, the Cabinet Member with the Housing, Health and Partnerships Portfolio presented the report of the Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services, requesting that consideration be given to the proposals for the revenue budget, rent levels, and service charges for the Council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for the financial year 2019/20 in the context of the HRA Medium Term Financial Plan 2022/23 and the 30 year Business Plan.

The submitted report stated that through the Welfare Reform and Work Bill 2015, the Government had implemented a compulsory one percent reduction in Social and Affordable rents for a four year period commencing in 2016/17, and that as a result all Council tenants would receive an average 61p reduction in weekly rent; the Council had been able to increase the housing capital programme by £12m as a result of the HRA borrowing cap being lifted, which could be further supplemented by the Homes England grant; the Council planned to build 100 affordable homes per annum, over the next ten years, as a result of the HRA barrowing cap being lifted; and that the proposals contained within the submitted report had been considered and supported by the Joint Tenants Customer/Scrutiny Panel.

Reference was made at the meeting to the priorities identified through the Housing Business Plan to be funded from the estimated capital resources for 2019/20, and in particular the funding available to replace windows.

RESOLVED – That it be recommended to the Special Meeting of Council scheduled to be held on 21 February that:-

(a)  an average weekly social rent reduction of one percent for 2019/20 be implemented, giving an average social rent of £70.53 and affordable rent of £77.92;

(b)  garage rents and services charges be increased, as shown in Table 3 of the submitted report;

(c)  the budget, as set out in Appendix 1 of the submitted report, be approved; and

(d)  the Housing Business Plan, as set out in Appendix 2 of the submitted report, be agreed.

REASON – To enable the Council to deliver an appropriate level of service to tenants to meet housing need and to support the economic growth of the Borough through housing development.